ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT’S HOLI GREETINGS
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Holi has said:-
“On the occasion of the festival of Holi, I convey my greetings to fellow citizens in India and abroad.
The Festival of Colours signals the end of winter and the advent of spring. As the harbinger of hope, it has a special place in our cultural calendar. Its celebrations across the country are marked by a rare vivacity across generations. Holi, with its myriad colours, is also the best reflection of our diversity and multicultural heritage.
May this festival strengthen our faith in our cherished national values, and promote the good for all.”
Click here to see the President's message in Hindi
Department of Atomic Energy
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, Department of Atomic Energy supplementing Country’s COVID infrastructure to fight the pandemic
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Bhabha Atomic Centre and Department of Atomic Energy  are supplementing country’s fight against the pandemic by providing COVID related equipment and technology. In an online review meeting with senior officials of the Department, the Minister lauded the initiatives for public welfare during COVID-19.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that development of protocol for sterilization of PPE kits using Cobalt source has the potential for re-use of PPE kits. Similarly, development of N-99 masks using HEPA filter technology. The Minister said, this mask is better than N-95 and N-99 masks have already been certified by three independent laboratories. He said, the technology has been transferred for mass scale production as it is both durable and cheaper than N-95 masks.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Department of Atomic Energy also successfully developed reagents for RT-PCR testing, besides powered respirators, Reefer, Portable Plasma sterilization and plasma incineration technology for medical waste.
Dr Jitendra Singh was informed by the senior officials that 25 percent of beds numbering about 600 have been reserved for cancer patients infected by COVID in all Tata Memorial Hospitals. Around 5,000 Oxygen Concentrators of 6 LPM are being received by Tata Memorial Centre, TMC as donation from abroad and most of it will be diverted to other Cancer Hospitals of the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that a “Surveillance Study for Covid-19” is presently underway in Collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital- to determine the genetic susceptibility for the severity of Covid-19. The Minister described this as a unique and one of the rarest studies happening in the world, the results of which will be shared with the global scientific community very soon. Moreover, a Study is also underway to find out about the Oral signs which can predict the severity of Covid-19.
Recalling the launch of COVID BEEP in June last year, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the system developed by DAE in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and ESIC Medical College Hyderabad was India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients. He said, the COVID BEEP is a perfect example of how synergy amongst the reputed institutes of India can offer solutions to most of the challenges faced by the country with minimum cost and thereby make the country Atmanirbhar in true sense.
Secretary, DAE, K. N. Vyas, CMD, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited  Shri S.K Sharma, Director, BARC, Dr.A,K.Mohanty and senior officials of the Department joined the review meeting.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
India's Active Caseload declines to less than 11 lakhs  after 63 days
Active Cases decrease by 40,981 in last 24 hours
India reports 84,332 new cases in last 24 hours; lowest after 70 days
2,79,11,384 total Recoveries across the country so far
1,21,311 patients recovered during last 24 hours.
Recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 30th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 95.07%
Weekly Positivity Rate drops to less than 5%, currently at 4.94%
Daily positivity rate at 4.39%, less than 10% for 19 consecutive days.
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 37.62 cr tests total conducted
24.96 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
Ministry of Railways
SER EMERGES CHAMPIONS IN 33rd ALL INDIA RAILWAY BODY BUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP
Kolkata, 26th February, 2019
South Eastern Railway emerged Champions in the 33rd All India Railway Body Building Championship held at Kharagpur from 22nd to 24th February, 2019 organised by South Eastern Railway Sports Association . The 2nd and 3rd positions were bagged by Central Railway and Southern Railway respectively.
S E Railway has consecutively bagged 1st Position in the last 6 years in the All India Railway Body Building Championship. The Gold Medal Winners of S E Railway’s team were J J Chakraborty, Aswin Shetty, N Sarbo Singh and Javed Ali Khan. N Sarbo Singh of S E Railway became the Champion of Champions.
Ministry of Science & Technology
3 Day International Conference and Exhibition On Energy and Environment inaugurated by President of India
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, today inaugurated the International Conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment in New Delhi. The 3 day conference organized by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research aims to deliberate and identify the R&D needs to innovate new techniques, technologies and applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society, environment, energy and industries in post-2020 era.
The President said that India is committed to provide power to all citizens at affordable cost as well as boost the national economy through an industrial revolution in tune with Industry 4.0. “In today’s era of rapid technological advance, energy and environment are major concerns not only for developing countries but also for developed countries”, said the President and urged participants of the Conference to come up with actionable ideas on environmental issues related to use of fossil fuels and viable alternatives.
During the 3 day Conference, an industrial exhibition is also organized in the Vigyan Bhawan lawn which was inaugurated by Union Science & Technology Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Speaking at the inauguration the Union Minister said that today the world recognizes India’s achievement, initiatives and visionary approach in the area of clean energy. “India has mounted the world’s largest and most innovative energy efficient lighting programme, 33o million LED lights which have resulted in reduction of 32 million tones of CO2 annually.” said Dr. Vardhan.
Around 1000 delegates from India and abroad are participating in the conference representing policy makers, regulators, thought leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, administrators, practicing engineers, Environmentalist, geo-environmentalists, researchers, academicians and technocrats. About 200 papers will be deliberated in the Conference which includes 9 keynote papers and 150 oral presentations and 50 poster presentations.
The keynote papers will be presented by eminent personalities who have made significant contributions in their respective areas. The list include Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member , NITI Aayog on Energy Security and Environmental Challenges; Dr. Anil Kakodkar, President, NASI on Nuclear Power: India's Development Imperative; Prof. Y. P. Chugh, University of Illinois, USA on The Evolving Role of Coal in Global Energy Needs: An Overview; Prof. Joan Esterle, University of Queensland, Australia on A supermodel approach to targeting CBM resources; Dr. S.C. Chetal, Mission Director, AUSC Project on Indian Advanced Ultra Supercritical Programme; Prof. Collin Hills, University of Greenwich, UK on Low-carbon Options for the Valorization of Indian Steel Slag.
Prime Minister's Office
UN Secretary General Calls on PM
H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, earlier today in Kevadiya, Gujarat.
Prime Minister and the UNSG jointly offered floral tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity.
During his meeting with Prime Minister, the UN Secretary General expressed his appreciation for India's ambitious initiatives in the area of climate action, particularly through the launch of Mission LiFE, as a global mass movement to achieve sustainable lifestyle change.
Prime Minister and the UNSG also discussed global and regional issues, including the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
The UNSG welcomed India’s upcoming Presidency of the G20 and underscored that the United Nations System would work together with India in facilitating transfer of technologies and finance for the benefit of developing countries.
Prime Minister thanked UNSG for commencing his visit to India by paying homage to victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, and his strong message on countering terrorism.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India and Bhutan sign MOU for developing cooperation in the areas of Environment
India and Bhutan today inked an MoU for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment. The MoU was signed virtually by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar from the Indian side and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Environment Commission Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji from the Bhutanese side.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Javadekar said, the MoU will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the area of climate change, waste management etc. Describing the relationship between the two countries as symbolic, he said, India wants to engage with Bhutan on environmental related issues including climate change.
The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management, Climate Change, etc. It also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest. The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
Ministry of Finance
Exchange Rate Notification No. 26/2023 - Customs 
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , and in supersession of the Notification No. 15/2023-Customs, dated 16th March, 2023 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column  of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 7th April, 2023, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column  thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.
SCHEDULE-I
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Sl.
No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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-
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1.
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Australian Dollar
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56.20
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53.80
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2.
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Bahraini Dinar
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224.35
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210.95
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3.
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Canadian Dollar
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61.85
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59.80
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4.
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Chinese Yuan
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12.10
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11.75
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5.
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Danish Kroner
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12.20
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11.80
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6.
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EURO
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90.90
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87.75
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7.
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Hong Kong Dollar
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10.65
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10.25
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8.
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Kuwaiti Dinar
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275.65
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259.15
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9.
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New Zealand Dollar
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53.00
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50.60
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10.
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Norwegian Kroner
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7.95
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7.70
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11.
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Pound Sterling
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103.75
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100.35
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12.
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Qatari Riyal
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23.25
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21.65
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13.
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Saudi Arabian Riyal
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22.55
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21.20
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14.
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Singapore Dollar
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62.70
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60.65
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15.
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South African Rand
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4.70
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4.40
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16.
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Swedish Kroner
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8.00
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7.75
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17.
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Swiss Franc
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92.15
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88.65
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18.
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Turkish Lira
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4.40
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4.15
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19.
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UAE Dirham
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23.05
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21.65
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20.
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US Dollar
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82.85
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81.10
SCHEDULE-II
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Sl.
No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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1.
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Japanese Yen
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63.55
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61.50
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2.
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Korean Won
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6.40
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6.05
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre rushes a High Level team to Kerala for supporting the State in public health interventions in COVID19 management
The Union Government has deployed a high level Central Team headed by Dr S K Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control  to Kerala. The team will reach the State day after tomorrow.
The team will review the public health interventions in management of COVID- 19 by the State Government of Kerala and support the State health authorities in these measures.
Kerala has been reporting very high daily new COVID cases since the past many days.
Total of 35,038 new cases were logged during the last seven days. Around 5,000 new cases are added daily to the State COVID19 tally.
The cases added daily during the last one week are as follows:
As an ongoing effort to strengthen efforts of various State/UT Governments for COVID management, the Central Government has been deputing Central teams from time to time to visit various States/UTs. These teams interact with the State/UT authorities and get a first hand understanding of the challenges and issues being faced by them so as to strengthen their ongoing activities and remove bottlenecks, if any.
MV/SJ
(HFW/COVID-Kerala- high team visit /6thJanuary2021/4
Ministry of Defence
EASTERN FLEET SHIPS VISIT SINGAPORE
As part of their deployment to South East Asia, Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kadmatt under the Command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, visited Singapore from 01 - 03 July 2022. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built multi-role stealth Frigate and INS Kadmatt is an indigenously built ASW Corvette.
During the visit, the IN crew participated in professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy  towards enhancing mutual cooperation and interoperability. Social and informal exchanges, aimed at consolidation of ties and mutual understanding between the Navies were also undertaken.
The visit of IN ships helped enhance maritime co-operation and bolster India’s strong bonds of friendship with Singapore that would further contribute towards security and stability in the region. The ships’ visit also coincided with Singapore Armed Forces  Day. Rear Adm Sanjay Bhalla FOCEF visited the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore & paid tribute to men & women who laid down their lives in the line of duty during the Second World War.
CGR/VM/PS
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Facilities for Senior Citizen
The Umbrella Scheme of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, being run by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, includes various schemes which aims to provide financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, welfare etc. for senior citizens. Under one of such schemes, namely, the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens , Grant-in-Aid is given to Implementing Agencies for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes where basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care, entertainment opportunities etc. are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens. Further, the Umbrella Scheme also supports sensitization programmes for strengthening Inter-generational bonding between children and senior citizens in order to create a strong community.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Railways
Mechanised Cleaning Techniques
Indian Railways has introduced mechanized cleaning at major stations to maintain proper hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation within station premises. The mechanized cleaning is carried out using high pressure water jets, mechanised floor scrubber, walk behind automatic scrubber dryer, battery operated ride on scrubber, vacuum cleaner, flippers, wet and dry vacuum cleaner etc., along with the requisite material and manpower.
Efforts are also made for mechanized cleaning on non-conducive surface. Ride on road sweeper machines, high pressure jet machines etc are being used in some Railways for slight non-conducive surfaces. Furthermore cleaning of non-conducive surfaces are generally done
using tools like brooms, hand scrubbers, wet mops, wipers etc with recommended chemicals/cleaning agents.
- Indian Railways’ Vision 2020 targets prioritisation of sanitation and waste management.
Following have been envisaged as thrust area for Indian Railways:
- Study of each station for its peculiarities to achieve near-zero-waste by adopting the principle of reduction, recycle and re-use.
- Infrastructure and amenities like water supply, drainage, sewerage, washable aprons, properly designed platforms and 'pay and use toilets' maintained by competent agencies along with user awareness campaigns.
- Coordination with city authorities.
- Enhancement of train cleanliness by retrofitting all coaches with discharge free green toilets.
- Mechanized cleaning at maintenance terminals.
- Onboard housekeeping and en-route mechanized cleaning at Clean Train Stations.
- Maximum recycling of water.
- Professional assistance for pest and rodent control.
- Scrubbers as mentioned in Standard Bid Document  for mechanised cleaning includes scrubber machines having twin movement i.e. rotary action of scrubber and translational movement and the same are being used in mechanised cleaning system over Indian Railways.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN ARMED FORCES CONTINGENT PARTICIPATED IN VICTORY DAY PARADE AT MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Russia is celebrating the 75th anniversary of victory of the then Soviet People in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Indian Armed Forces contingent participated in the Victory Day Parade at Red Square Moscow on 24 Jun 2020. The Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprised of 75 all ranks and marched alongwith contingents of Russian Armed Forces and 17 other countries. Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister was among the special invitees to the event.
The British Indian Armed Forces during World War-II were one of the largest Allied Forces contingents which took part in the North and East African Campaign, Western Desert Campaign and the European Theatre against the Axis powers. These campaign witnessed sacrifice by over 87 thousand Indian servicemen beside 34,354 being wounded. The Indian Military not only fought on all fronts, but also ensured delivery of goods along the Southern, Trans-Iranian Lend-Lease route, along which weapons, ammunitions, spare parts for equipment and food went to the Soviet Union, Iran and Iraq. The valour of the Indian soldiers was recognised with the award of over four thousand decorations, which also included award of 18 Victoria and George Cross. In addition the then Soviet Union appreciated the valour of the Indian Armed forces and by the decree of 23 May 1944, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR signed by Mikhail Kalinin and Alexander Gorkin awarded the prestigious Orders of the Red Star to Subedar Narayan Rao Nikkam and Havildar Gajendra singh Chand of Royal Indian Army Service Corps.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his Punya Tithi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his Punya Tithi.
Prime Minister said, “Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation’s progress”.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
ISSR PROJECT
‘Land’ and ‘Colonization’ are State subjects. Schemes related to housing in their respective areas are implemented by States/Union Territories . However, Government of India is supplementing the efforts of States/ UTs by providing Central assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban  since June, 2015 to provide pucca house with basic civic amenities to all eligible urban beneficiaries through four verticals namely  Beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement   Affordable Housing in Partnership   Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme  and  “In-Situ” Slum Redevelopment .
Identification of eligible beneficiaries and implementation of projects under PMAY-U is the responsibility of State/ UT Governments concerned. All State/ UT Governments prepare project proposals as per demand in consonance with scheme guidelines of PMAY-U.
Based on the project proposals submitted by States/ UTs, a total of 2,10,552 houses have been sanctioned for eligible beneficiaries under ISSR vertical of PMAY-U as on 20.03.2023.
Under PMAY-U, more than 1.20 crore houses have been sanctioned as on 20.03.2023. Of the sanctioned houses, 109.40 lakh have been grounded for construction; of which 72.72 lakh are completed/ delivered to beneficiaries. Of the 72.72 lakh completed houses as on 20.03.2023, 52.78 lakh houses have been sanctioned to Economically Weaker Section  beneficiaries.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Anurag Singh Thakur reviews India’s preparedness for Commonwealth Games 2022; says momentum of training and competition enhanced post Olympics
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur reviewed India’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2022 at a Mission Olympic Cell  meeting on Thursday. A total of 215 athletes will be representing India at the upcoming CWG.
Present at the MOC meeting were former long jumper Anju Bobby George, former hockey player Viren Rasquinha, former Table Tennis player Monalisa Baruah, former Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former Badminton player Trupti Murgunde.
“The preparation of the athletes is going on in full swing. I am happy that the momentum of training and competition has been enhanced post Olympics and we can hope for continued success post Olympic and Paralympic,” Shri Thakur said while reviewing the preparations.
During the review, various aspects of India's preparation came to the fore. Post the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the athletes have gone back to full fledged training including training at national camps and multiple international exposures in training and competition. As of now, the Government of India has helped facilitate 111 exposure trips in disciplines that India will be compete in Birmingham2022.
The National Sports Federations  are also working in tandem to organize national camps.
Several elite athletes have been training abroad post-Olympics at government cost, as per their training plan. Since return to training after Olympic Games, Javelin Thower Neeraj Chopra has been based in Chula Vista , Antalya  and Finland, Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu spent time in St. Louis , training with specialist coach Dr. Aaron Horschig, Steeplechaser Avinash Sable has been based in Colarado Springs  with coach Scott Simons since April 2022 and Cycling team has been based in Slovenia and Portugal for three months. Recently, exposure trips in Portugal and Republic of Ireland for the Table Tennis and Boxing contingents have also been sanctioned ahead of the CWG 2022.